Lisel Alamilla wins Marsh Award

The 2010 Marsh Award has been given to Lisel Alamilla for her awe-inspiring impact on conservation in southern Belize. Lisel is Executive Director of Fauna & Flora International’s (FFI) partner in Belize, the grass roots organisation, Ya’axché Conservation Trust (Ya’axché).

The Marsh Award for Conservation Leadership recognises and rewards an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution to FFI’s goals. The award is given out by the Marsh Christian Trust.

Since its creation in 1998, Ya’axché has proved an extraordinary partner for FFI making significant and invaluable contributions towards FFI’s mission. Ya’axché’s success is credit to a dynamic, highly capable and committed staff which have flourished under Lisel’s leadership.

Dedication, charisma and passion for conservation

Lisel has been involved in conservation in Belize for 15 years and since taking on the role of Executive Director in 2008, has demonstrated excellent conservation leadership, advancing integrated landscape management for equitable development in southern Belize. Her dedication, charisma and passion for conservation and community-centred development has inspired many people across the country.

Lisel and her team are addressing immense conservation challenges including the expansion of agricultural areas, hunting, illegal extraction of timber and xaté (a type of palm used in the floral industry). These threats, and the proposed development of a hydropower dam, endanger the integrity of Bladen and the wider Maya Golden Landscape.

Ya’axché works through a combination of sustainable land-use management, strategic advocacy and awareness and by supporting socially innovative and economically viable enterprises.

FFI is proud to be working with such an outstanding conservation leader and organisation. Congratulations Lisel!

Ya’axché’s success is credit to a dynamic, highly capable and committed staff which have flourished under the leadership of Executive Director, Lisel Alamilla. Lisel has been involved in conservation in Belize for 15 years and since taking on the role of Executive Director in 2008, has demonstrated outstanding conservation leadership, advancing integrated landscape management for equitable development in southern Belize.

Her dedication, charisma and passion for conservation and community-centred development has inspired many people across the country and it is credit to Lisel and her team that Ya’axché has increasingly become a nationally recognised voice for conservation in Belize.

Written by

Rebecca Foges

Rebecca has been working at FFI since September 2007. Though she studied conservation in her BA and MSc, she decided that the life in the jungle just wasn't for her. Having grown up in New York City, she has experienced more pigeons and squirrels than parrots and spider monkeys. So she decided to write about the impact that FFI's projects have on the ground.
Her current role as Communications Officer (Business & Biodiversity) has allowed her to focus her energy towards FFI's innovative Business & Biodiversity Programme. Rebecca helps to get the message out about FFI's strategic corporate partnerships and what they have helped to achieve for global biodiversity.

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